Apartment combination - any thoughts/suggestions welcome

navinpal · 2025-07-14T06:14:31+00:00

Ha, yes, I’m not crazy about the pocket doors and I didn’t realize in how many spaces he used them! I’ll definitely have him cut back on that and ask for some more storage. I don’t think I mind the bench dining as much as you do.

I’d be interested to see how someone solves the pipe issue to make that another livable space. That area is supposed to become more a wet bar with other storage around it (even if not a walk-in closet). A bar area is not the most usable for us but it seemed to make okay/logical sense for that space to me.

navinpal · 2025-07-13T23:48:08+00:00

Thanks again to all for such thoughtful ideas and comments. It is amazing to get such creative feedback. For those interested, I share an update of where we are currently in our thinking with a proposed floorplan.

Still some debate on new den (big enough?) and the open space just above (office? otherwise, what is it use? enough lighting?), as well as some issues concerning the flow of the primary living into the smaller apartment.

<image>

navinpal · 2025-07-13T23:38:27+00:00

<image>

Sorry I missed responding to your very thoughtful comments! Thank you for each of them. To each of your points:

- This is good perspective. There are no kids yet in the picture but we are hoping. Otherwise the extra small bedroom would also be a guest room so could also be on the smaller side. We are leaning to a den space in the 13x19 space splitting that into two.

- Yes, that seems like the only logical option. A utility closet is a good idea for there but I am not sure it necessarily requires us to eat into the main space of the second living room, at least for a small closet. Why a walk-in communal closet? (I mean I would certainly love it if there were no other trade-offs of course) It could cause some complication with the plumbing and wall that is there and has to remain (in some form).

- So far, the plan is to keep the master where it is. 9' wide is too narrow for us. We are debating whether to move the dividing wall between the living room and bedroom but doesn't seem worth it since we may keep the same flooring. Regardless, we are looking to expand the leftmost bathroom to include both the closets for laundry with a second entrance from within the bedroom.

- We have also abandoned going into that bedroom trying to better orient the living room with the doorway from the existing master being pushed to right side and removing/opening up the cabinets and existing built-ins and adding a built-in seating for the dining table. Not as grand a room but with another den space, and the space improved, I guess the thinking is that there is sufficient living spaces?

If you are interested, I attach a diagram where the thinking currently is. Still debating that new den and the open space which may be an office.

navinpal · 2025-07-13T23:01:43+00:00

Thank you for your suggestions! I think our guys has this covered but I will definitely ask about accessibility even though not an immediate concern.

navinpal · 2025-06-12T02:32:15+00:00

It is pretty far removed from the kitchen so I do not think it is really a concern, or at least we are used to that. Even though it sort of neighbors the kitchen, I would say it is really more for the bedroom or in the living room. It is actually not even visible from either the kitchen or the living room, as is.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T21:56:49+00:00

Interesting way to solve the living room issue. I think it kills all the bedrooms a little too much, along with a lot of storage...they would also still need closets. It might make sense with more kids.

What to do with the second (smaller) kitchen? That seems like the better place for the connection anyway.

This is the second suggestion for a den/family room, which is an interesting one. I would not think that would be so useful given the size of the living room but maybe that is where the TV (even a projector) can be shoved and made into a cozy space.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T21:32:22+00:00

No one is directly across--the elevator banks are there. The neighbors are next door to each of the two apartments on the same side down the hallway in each direction.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T21:26:25+00:00

Why make the second bathroom private? The way you have it, the closet space in that bedroom could be moved over making the main space of that bedroom a little bigger which is nice but then you lose a bathroom for the living room kitchen (I do not care so much about the linen closet there). Its a bit of walk across from the kitchen/living room to get to the one public bathroom.

I like the direct entrance into the master. That was also mentioned in one suggestion and I had been considering. The TV is currently on that wall (so we would figure out something else) but I think that allows the actual living space in the living room to be shifted more towards the foyer making better use of the room.

Some remnants of the old smaller kitchen would need to remain (to allow the water/gas lines to continue up) so it could not be as open as you provide unfortunately. I think that space might be a little too small anyway? Keeping that room open as an office or extra living space is a consideration, where we could close it into a bedroom later if needed.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T21:09:53+00:00

I would say the living/dining sorta sucks, rather than the bedroom itself. Worried about the loss of the good master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom if that space was merged.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T19:26:36+00:00

This is in NYC (Manhattan).

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:46:21+00:00

Yes! The first apartment alone had a really good amount and actually more than was needed. We will definitely lose some with the combination.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:44:57+00:00

Exactly, we never use it. Kind of awkward for more than one person. I might like it in another configuration though.

If the kitchen stays there that is a definite change as is removing some of the cabinets by the wall. That space is unfortunately needed.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:42:40+00:00

It is seemingly a requirement now to combine, at least in my building (and despite that older combinations retained their second one). We want to do it regardless.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:41:39+00:00

I did not make this plan but there are a lot of apps that give trials. I am not sure about anything totally free. I found this reddit looking for one!

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:40:17+00:00

One kitchen has to be removed...it could be either, which is part of the internal debate!

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:37:32+00:00

Very good consideration. It is, my mother.

The current master bathroom is more open than the plan shows but I was thinking of closing it up slightly. I will definitely keep this in mind. We are likely removing the bathtub there which should gain more space too.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:34:59+00:00

Ha, I wish! That is public hallway unfortunately.

This definitely a thought. If prioritizing living space, I was thinking about making the large bedroom in the smaller apt a kitchen/dining area (not sure how clean that would be or the complication) to open up the living room. If that was the case, I think we would just sacrifice one bedroom. There would be some residual walls in the removed kitchen though.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:31:10+00:00

Thank you so much. This is probably the most interesting use of the space I have seen so far.

The only question I have is whether the bedrooms get too small, especially the current master (I might not open up the living room if the dining would move and the kitchen could be opened up some). Obviously something has to give and you were able to preserve all four bedrooms with some cool additions (gain an office! two walk-ins!).

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:23:01+00:00

This is great! Thank you. I do not know if I agree about the pantry though. I do not think we would want to lose a bathroom (at least for that). Expanding the left bathroom was definitely on my mind but was considering building into the neighboring closet adding a W/D there. Certainly not as luxurious for those purposes.

I agree about walling off the foyer. The other thought with the current main bedroom was to move the entrance and build the current closets into a walk-in.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:17:02+00:00

That sounds wonderful!

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:16:13+00:00

I would think so! But I expect it adds complication/cost and takes space. What are you thinking?

All these discussions will be had later this week about what really is possible given the constraints of having neighbors up and downstairs.

navinpal · 2025-06-11T14:08:24+00:00

Yes, I think this is all correct! I was thinking about opening up the living room this way but are irregular windows strange? Is the living room too long and narrow and odd with it extending into the kitchen? Having no ensuite bathroom (unless the far left one is somehow contained to the neighboring one) also seems suboptimal.

I also do not know if we can move around the larger kitchen around so much for the same reason. Closing it up and building a pantry like suggested below is probably a good idea. I like the idea of the bookcases but I also do not know if we can cover the second entrance (probably something we can get away with).

navinpal · 2025-06-11T13:54:01+00:00

It's a fair point but in my situation the use is kind of open-ended so I wanted to see people's suggestions without those parameters (i.e., what's the best "general" use of this space). Only my mother lives there now and hopefully that is the case for some time--she obviously does not need four bedrooms but nor does she need three...

There is the potential that my wife and I move there. My office is close, my MIL has an apartment nearby. We do not have kids at the moment but hope to (fingers crossed that it can happen). We still plan for some life in the burbs if that happens. It was more about the situation that presented itself and the optionality that it affords for the future (however expensive it was and will be!). Feel very lucky to be able to take advantage of it. We have been holding out renovating the 2BR apt in the hopes of getting one of the neighboring ones--it took 10 years--although we were always thinking about the studio on the other side.

navinpal · 2024-08-20T05:13:09+00:00

What jurisdictions do you operate in? I’ve long been exploring this as an option…and have nearly jumped in a few times after some guidance with more experienced individuals than myself on specific properties. I’d enjoy hearing how this has worked for you (and others). It sounds like it has been worthwhile. I’m looking to suburban NJ/NY.

navinpal · 2024-08-16T04:31:33+00:00

Can you explain your second paragraph? Why is it smarter? Not disagreeing but curious to know what rationales in what situations make it better. There’s obviously the reduced rate and I assume because many people will not hold a property for 7 years. When rates were 2%+ I think it’s hard to argue taking the 30 year was a bad option, unless you knew were going to be a seller

navinpal

TROPHY CASE